← All Mitsubishi Outlander years

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 55 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Severity signals include 7 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Air Bags (9), Electrical System (7), Unknown Or Other (6).

Outlander reliability snapshot

71/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$519
Avg annual repair cost vs $521 category avg
#8/26
Ranking in midsize SUV · better than 69% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Mitsubishi Outlander before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Air Bags9
  • Electrical System7
  • Unknown Or Other6
  • Structure5
  • Exterior Lighting5
  • Seats3

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect airbag system for warning lights or error codes
  • Test cruise control for unexpected disengagement
  • Check for repeated headlight failures or replacements
  • Verify rear brake pad condition for premature wear
  • Test sunroof for signs of cracking or potential explosion
  • Check for corrosion under the vehicle, especially around exhaust
  • Ensure liftgate stops upon obstruction and functions correctly

What owners reported

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 7 crashes and 8 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints9

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander frequently report issues with the airbag system, particularly concerning non-deployment during crashes and erroneous deployment over potholes. Complaints often describe the airbag warning light illuminating intermittently, with some reports indicating recurring error codes such as B1476, B1558, and B1631. Crashes involving non-deployment of airbags have resulted in injuries, including head trauma and concussions, with incidents occurring at various mileages from 53,000 to 215,000 miles. These reports suggest significant safety implications, including potential injury risks due to airbag malfunctions. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these reported airbag issues and the associated safety concerns.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports

Owner complaints7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander frequently report issues with the electrical system, including problems with propulsion power, vehicle stalling, and warning lights for various safety systems. Complaints describe symptoms such as the "Propulsion Power Reduced" message leading to decreased acceleration on highways, and multiple dashboard warning lights that disable safety features like the Blind Spot Warning and Active Stability Control. Several reports note these problems occurring as early as 10,000 to 31,754 miles. Safety implications include a crash where the vehicle collided with a tree, resulting in an injury and the vehicle being totaled. This pattern of electrical issues, particularly those affecting vehicle control and safety systems, is a notable concern for potential buyers.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints6

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander frequently report issues with the sunroof glass unexpectedly exploding while driving, resulting in glass shards entering the cabin and causing minor injuries. Complaints also describe a recurring problem with the throttle/pedal position sensor and rear motor bushings needing replacement. One incident involved a crash due to the vehicle moving in reverse after being left in standby mode while the charge cord was still plugged in, highlighting a potential safety risk. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with some occurring shortly after part replacements. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, particularly those involving safety risks like the sunroof and unintended vehicle movement.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints5

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's liftgate, specifically its failure to remain open or stop upon obstruction. Complaints commonly describe the liftgate unexpectedly falling, sometimes causing minor injuries, such as bumps to the head. These incidents are often linked to higher mileage, generally around 120,000 to 132,000 miles. Additionally, one owner notes a problem with the exhaust system fracturing due to corrosion, accompanied by a snapping sound. Safety implications include potential injury from the liftgate's failure to stop when obstructed, though no crashes or fires are reported. These issues should be considered by prospective buyers, particularly those looking at higher mileage vehicles.

Owner complaints5

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's headlights, including repeated failures of both the passenger and driver side lights. Complaints describe headlights burning out multiple times within short periods, with some owners replacing them as many as 7 times in a year. These issues often occur without warning, leading to potential safety concerns as drivers may not realize the lights are out until notified by others. The recurring failures are reported at mileage as low as approximately 32,000 miles. While one complaint involves a crash, it is not directly linked to the headlight issue. This pattern of headlight failure may be of interest to prospective buyers considering this model.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints3

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander report several issues related to the power train. A common pattern involves the vehicle stalling or shutting down unexpectedly, with one owner noting the car died after passing a bump at low speed and another experiencing a shutdown while driving at highway speeds. Symptoms include the vehicle making a loud noise before shutting down and requiring a restart after stalling when switching from reverse to drive too quickly. These issues occur at various mileages, with one report mentioning the problem from new with less than 50 miles, and another at 34,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as sudden shutdowns occur while driving, posing risks of accidents, particularly in high-traffic situations.

Owner complaints3

ENGINE

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander report several engine-related issues, with a focus on mechanical failures and starting problems. A common complaint involves the camshaft phaser shattering, which suggests potential mechanical fragility. Another pattern includes difficulty starting the vehicle and stalling while driving, often accompanied by flickering warning lights. These issues are reported at approximately 65,000 miles. Additionally, some owners describe problems with the engine heat shield cracking at the bolt inserts, leading to an unsecured shield, typically around 28,000 miles. While no direct safety incidents such as crashes or fires are mentioned, the stalling issue could pose a risk during operation.

Owner complaints2

SEAT BELTS

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander report issues primarily related to seat belt functionality and recall service accessibility. One complaint highlights a problem with the second-row middle seat belt, where it seizes and tightens excessively on the passenger, causing significant discomfort. Another owner reports difficulty accessing recall services, as they are required to travel out of state for repair, which is inconvenient and time-consuming. These issues appear without specific mileage references. Safety implications are noted in terms of discomfort and potential service delays, but no accidents or injuries are mentioned in the complaints.

Owner complaints2

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving the ABS system and premature rear brake pad wear. Complaints frequently mention the "ABS Service Required" message appearing intermittently, with some owners noting that restarting the vehicle temporarily clears the warning. The ABS system's failure to respond properly during sudden stops is also noted, with one owner experiencing sliding despite ample stopping space. Premature rear brake pad wear is reported as early as 12,000 miles, with continued issues at 25,000 miles, sometimes accompanied by noise and a broken caliper rubber protector. These symptoms suggest potential safety implications, as they involve critical braking components.

Owner complaints2

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander report issues with the vehicle's cruise control system, particularly the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Complaints frequently mention that the ACC disengages unexpectedly during highway driving, often displaying a message indicating that the system is unavailable or requires servicing. This issue is consistently noted during long road trips, such as a 600-mile round trip between Milwaukee and Wausau, Wisconsin. No reports of crashes or loss of control are associated with these complaints, but the sudden disengagement of cruise control could be disruptive to driving. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring cruise control issues, especially if planning to use the vehicle for extended highway travel.

2018 Outlander recalls (6)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2018 Outlander. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 20V403000Jul 13, 2020

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.

    Consequence: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy

    MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.

  2. STRUCTURENHTSA 26V252000Apr 20, 2026

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

    Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

  3. STRUCTURENHTSA 25V507000Aug 7, 2025

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

    Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002

  4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENHTSA 18V620000Sep 14, 2018

    Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport, 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross, and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects pedestrians. Due to incorrect software, the FCM-ECU (Electronic Control Unit) may apply braking for longer than needed, even after a pedestrian is no longer detected.

    Consequence: If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking. The resulting rapid deceleration of the vehicle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.

    Remedy

    MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FCM-ECU software with updated software, free of charge. The recall is began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-007.

  5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 18V621000Sep 14, 2018

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system and 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross vehicles and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system and/or an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) system. The software for the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may be incorrect, possibly preventing the intervention of a safety system such as automatic emergency braking, Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), or the Brake Auto Hold (BAH) function when any of these systems are in use.

    Consequence: If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the Hydraulic Unit-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-008.

  6. EQUIPMENT, WHEELSNHTSA 18V591000Sep 5, 2018

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels. The Certification Label lists an incorrect rear wheel rim size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Consequence: The incorrect rim size information on the label can cause the operator to replace the rim with an incorrect rim size, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    MMNA will notify owners and send them a corrected certification label, free of charge. Owners can also choose to have the label replaced by a dealer, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-006.

Used-market value

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander resale snapshot

59%estimated value retained after 5 years
90listings in the model-level benchmark
$21,590median asking price from 31 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander on the road

37,952 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander presents a mixed reliability profile, aligning with the segment average. With a score of 71 out of 100, it demonstrates moderate reliability, indicating that while it neither excels nor lags behind its peers, potential buyers should be mindful of its performance record.

The recall count is elevated, with six recalls, suggesting some areas of concern that have required manufacturer intervention. Complaints are relatively low and distributed across various components, with air bags and the electrical system receiving the most attention. This spread indicates no single overwhelming issue but highlights several areas where the vehicle may require attention.

Overall, the 2018 Outlander exhibits moderate reliability, implying a balanced risk level for prospective buyers.

What you get in a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

Check a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander now

Confirm exact options, recall completion, accident history, and odometer accuracy in minutes.

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander presents a mixed reliability profile, aligning with the segment average. With a score of 71 out of 100, it demonstrates moderate reliability, indicating that while it neither excels nor lags behind its peers, potential buyers should be mindful of its performance record.

How many recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

6 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

The most-reported 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problem areas are: Air Bags (9), Electrical System (7), Unknown Or Other (6).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.